Chapter 21
PHOEBE
Griffin went into the kitchen, and I followed him. The stress of the day was simply melting away.
Standing in front of the island, Griffin pressed a button on the stone surface, then put a pot on the stone itself. Seconds later, he poured in oil.
“Wait, where is the actual cooking surface?” I asked, realizing there was no ceramic glass anywhere.
He smiled. “This is it. It uses an induction, so it’s under the stone.”
My jaw hung open. “Wow. I never knew something like this existed.”
“It’s fairly new,” he said, “and expensive.”
That’s why it never popped up in my research for flipping the house.
“I can’t accidentally burn myself, can I?”
“No. The induction doesn’t heat up the stone, just the pot itself.”
“Clever,” I murmured.
Griffin put rice in a special pot and then started taking out ingredients from the fridge. “Is there anything you don’t eat?”
“No. What do you want to cook?”
“Rice with egg and veggies.”
“Sounds right up my alley.” Honestly, I would have eaten anything. Being here was all that mattered. “Need me to chop anything?”
“No, I’m used to doing it by myself.”
“Most people who live by themselves don’t like to cook.”
“I know, but Mom instilled that habit when we were kids. She always said there was no point spending money on takeout and insisted that cooking is an important life skill.”
“She’s right.”
“Besides, it relaxes me. Can I interest you in wine?”
I clasped my hands together. “You brought back goodies from Napa?”
“You know it.” Grinning, he showed me a small fridge of wine under the counter. “Which one do you want?”
“Surprise me.”
“Your wish is my command,” Griffin said.
The words completely lit me up, and he didn’t even say it in a sexual way.
He took out a bottle of red, then put it back and said, “White! You get headaches from red.”
I smiled wholeheartedly. His comment made me feel seen and heard.
I noticed the wineglasses in the cabinet behind a tinted glass door and took out two. He poured generously in both glasses, and then we clinked them together.
I swirled the liquid lightly, smelling it first. “Oh. My. God!” I closed my eyes, immersing myself in the scent.
“Phoebe,” he growled.
I opened my eyes. He was staring at me with hunger.
“You drive me crazy when you do that.”
“What?” I asked, thoroughly confused.
“That sound you make after you smell wine. I want to kiss you senseless every time.”
I brought a hand to my mouth and giggled. I took a sip of the wine, then let out a “Hmm.”
Griffin put his glass down. A second later, I set mine down, too, and then everything faded around us. It was just me and him. He gently took me by my shoulders and kissed me deeper than I’d expected. This kiss was hotter than any other we’d shared so far.
His lips wiped every thought from my mind. When I felt his hands under my ass, I didn’t even question it. I was so lost in him that he could do anything he wanted with me.
After lifting me to the counter, he moved his mouth down my neck and farther to my chest until he reached my dress. Then he straightened, breathing hard. He brought his hands from around my ass to my outer thighs.
“The things you do to me, Phoebe.”
“You’ve been holding back,” I whispered.
“You have no idea. Every single time I’m with you, I want to devour you. And after our night together at the vacation house, I wanted to pounce on you the next day. And on Monday.”
Clearing his throat, he stepped back. “Right. Dinner.”
He gave me back my glass of wine while he focused on the pan.
I leaned in, whispering, “Cooking somehow makes you even sexier.”
He chuckled and undid the cuff links on his shirt. Then he pushed the sleeves up to his elbows.
Oh, this man, really. Did he want to kill me? Did he even realize how hot that was?
I watched his every move intently. He cracked four eggs, then quickly chopped veggies before putting them in the pan. At the same time, he added the precooked rice.
Sitting here and looking at those hands was giving me sexy ideas. I hopped down and went behind him, massaging his shoulders before moving to his neck and down his back.
He groaned. “Phoebe, what are you doing?”
“You’re cooking. The least I can do is make sure you’re relaxed.” I moved my hands farther down to his ass. “These muscles seem like they need some pampering too.” My voice was a bit breathy.
Griffin groaned again, and I took my hands away. I didn’t want him to burn dinner, after all. I could fondle him to my heart’s desire after we ate.
He finished cooking just a few minutes later.
“This was quick,” I said.
“Most of the things I cook take no time at all.”
We ate at the huge table next to the window. He had a small sitting area beside the kitchen island, but his dining room was too beautiful not to use it. I carried the place mats and glasses, and Griffin brought the plates and cutlery. I realized I was super hungry after taking the first mouthful.
“This is delicious.”
“I’m glad you like it.”
I ate very fast, as did Griffin. I only slowed down after I’d almost cleared my plate. I still had a few forkfuls left, though, and I didn’t plan on ignoring them.
After I swallowed the very last one, Griffin put a hand on my knee under the table, skimming his thumb up and down. I had no idea that was a sweet spot for me, but it was. I pressed my thighs together, sucking in a deep breath. I didn’t think he’d noticed, though.
“So damn responsive,” Griffin said.
Damn. He most definitely noticed.
His smile was smug as he focused on his food. I took another swig of wine, thinking how much different it tasted after eating. It was like all the flavors were enhanced.
“Want to move over to the sitting area?” he asked after swallowing his last mouthful.
I nodded enthusiastically.
We cleaned up the table in no time, starting the dishwasher too. Then he put an arm around my waist, leading me to the couch. He brushed his fingers up and down my rib cage, and I could swear that I felt that stroke between my thighs too. It was as if my entire body was a sweet spot.
As we sat down on the couch, I noticed the armrests had a wood surface on top for drinks.
“I love this house. It’s so smart,” I said as we set our glasses down. Then I straddled him.
Griffin cupped my ankles with his fingers before drawing his hands up my calves to my thighs. He looked at me intently.
“You’re serious all of a sudden,” I murmured.
He moved one hand up, caressing my jawline. “Phoebe, you’re sure about all of this?”
I nodded. “Yes. I’ve honestly never been more certain about anything.”
He smiled. “That’s exactly what I wanted to hear.”
He moved both his hands on my shoulder blades, pressing his fingers into them. I groaned, dipping my head back.
“Oh, wow,” I exclaimed.
“You gave me that idea,” he said. “You need to relax.”
Then I felt his lips on my neck. “I’ve missed you. I’ve wanted to explore you for days.”
I loved the sensations I felt when he spoke against my skin. Hot air blasted against my neck with every word.
Then he straightened up, coming level with my mouth, pressing his lips to mine.
And I was lost to him.